Multiple light paths architecture and obscuration methods for signal and perfusion index optimization

ABSTRACT

A photoplethysmographic (PPG) device is disclosed. The PPG device can include one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors to generate the multiple light paths for measuring a PPG signal and perfusion indices of a user. The multiple light paths between each pair of light emitters and light detectors can include different separation distances to generate both an accurate PPG signal and a perfusion index value to accommodate a variety of users and usage conditions. In some examples, the multiple light paths can include the same separation distances for noise cancellation due to artifacts resulting from, for example, tilt and/or pull of the device, a user&#39;s hair, a user&#39;s skin pigmentation, and/or motion. The PPG device can further include one or more lenses and/or reflectors to increase the signal strength and/or and to obscure the optical components and associated wiring from being visible to a user&#39;s eye.

FIELD

This relates generally to a device that measures a photoplethysmographic(PPG) signal, and, more particularly, to architectures for multiplelight paths and obscuration methods for PPG signal and perfusion indexoptimization.

BACKGROUND

A photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal can be measured by PPG systems toderive corresponding physiological signals (e.g., pulse rate). In abasic form, PPG systems can employ a light source or light emitter thatinjects light into the user's tissue and a light detector to receivelight that reflects and/or scatters and exits the tissue. The receivedlight includes light with an amplitude that is modulated as a result ofpulsatile blood flow (i.e., “signal”) and parasitic, non-signal lightwith an amplitude that can be modulated (i.e., “noise” or “artifacts”)and/or unmodulated (i.e., DC). Noise can be introduced by, for exampletilt and/or pull of the device relative to the user's tissue, hair,and/or motion.

For a given light emitter and light detector, the PPG pulsatile signal(i.e., detected light modulated by pulsatile blood flow) can decrease asthe separation distance between the light emitter and light detectorincreases. On the other hand, perfusion index (i.e., the ratio ofpulsatile signal amplitude versus DC light amplitude) can increase asthe separation distance between the light emitter and light detectorincreases. Higher perfusion index tends to result in better rejection ofnoise due to motion (i.e., rejection of motion artifacts). Therefore,shorter separation distances between a light emitter and a light sensorcan favor high PPG signal strength, while longer separation distancescan favor high perfusion index (e.g., motion performance). That is, atrade-off can exist, making it difficult to optimize separation distancefor particular user skin/tissue types and usage conditions.

Additionally, the PPG system can include several light emitters, lightdetectors, components, and associated wiring that may be visible to auser's eye, making the PPG system aesthetically unappealing.

SUMMARY

This relates to a PPG device configured with an architecture suitablefor multiple light paths. The architecture can include one or more lightemitters and one or more light sensors to generate the multiple lightpaths for measuring a PPG signal and a perfusion index of a user. Themultiple light paths (i.e., the optical paths formed between each pairof light emitter and light detector) can include different locationsand/or emitter-to-detector separation distances to generate both anaccurate PPG signal and perfusion index value to accommodate a varietyof users and a variety of usage conditions. In some examples, themultiple light paths can include different path locations, but the sameseparation distances along each path. In other examples, the multiplelight paths can include overlapping, co-linear paths (i.e., along thesame line) but with different emitter-to-detector separation distancesalong each path. In other examples, the multiple light paths can includedifferent path locations and different emitter-to-detector separationdistances along each path. In such examples, the particularconfiguration of the multiple light paths can be optimized forcancellation of noise due to artifacts resulting from, for example, tiltand/or pull of the device, a user's hair, a user's skin pigmentation,and/or motion. The PPG device can further include one or more lensesand/or reflectors to increase the signal strength and/or and to obscurethe light emitters, light sensors, and associated wiring from beingvisible to a user's eye.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate systems in which examples of the disclosure canbe implemented.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary PPG signal.

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view and FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectionalview of an exemplary electronic device including light sensors and lightemitters for determining a heart rate signal.

FIG. 3C illustrates a flow diagram for canceling or reducing noise froma measured PPG signal.

FIG. 4A illustrates a top view and FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectionalview of an exemplary device with two light paths for determining a heartrate signal according to examples of the disclosure.

FIG. 5A illustrates multiple light paths for determining a heart ratesignal according to examples of the disclosure.

FIG. 5B illustrates a plot of PPG signal strength and perfusion indexvalues for multiple light paths with different separation distancesaccording to examples of the disclosure.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of an exemplary electronic deviceemploying multiple light paths for determining a heart rate signalaccording to examples of the disclosure.

FIG. 6B illustrates a table of exemplary path lengths, relative PPGsignal levels, and relative perfusion index values for an exemplaryelectronic device employing multiple light paths according to examplesof the disclosure.

FIG. 6C illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary electronicdevice employing multiple light paths for determining a heart ratesignal according to examples of the disclosure.

FIGS. 6D-6F illustrate cross-sectional views of exemplary electronicdevices employing multiple light paths for determining a heart ratesignal according to examples of the disclosure.

FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of an exemplary electronic device witheight light paths for determining a heart rate signal according toexamples of the disclosure.

FIG. 7B illustrates a table of light emitter/sensor paths and separationdistances for an exemplary electronic device with eight light paths andfour separation distances according to examples of the disclosure.

FIG. 7C illustrates a plot of PPG signal strength and perfusion indexvalues for an exemplary architecture with eight light paths and fourseparation distances according to examples of the disclosure.

FIGS. 7D-7F illustrate cross-sectional views of exemplary electronicdevices employing one or more light paths for determining a heart ratesignal according to examples of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing systemcomprising light emitters and light sensors for measuring a PPG signalaccording to examples of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary configuration in which a device isconnected to a host according to examples of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of examples, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings in which it is shown by way of illustrationspecific examples that can be practiced. It is to be understood thatother examples can be used and structural changes can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the various examples.

Various techniques and process flow steps will be described in detailwith reference to examples as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects and/orfeatures described or referenced herein. It will be apparent, however,to one skilled in the art, that one or more aspects and/or featuresdescribed or referenced herein may be practiced without some or all ofthese specific details. In other instances, well-known process stepsand/or structures have not been described in detail in order to notobscure some of the aspects and/or features described or referencedherein.

Further, although process steps or method steps can be described in asequential order, such processes and methods can be configured to workin any suitable order. In other words, any sequence or order of stepsthat can be described in the disclosure does not, in and of itself,indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order.Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite beingdescribed or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because onestep is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of aprocess by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that theillustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modificationthereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its stepsare necessary to one or more of the examples, and does not imply thatthe illustrated process is preferred.

A photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal can be measured by PPG systems toderive corresponding physiological signals (e.g., pulse rate). Such PPGsystems can be designed to be sensitive to changes in blood in a user'stissue that can result from fluctuations in the amount or volume ofblood or blood oxygen contained in a vasculature of the user. In a basicform, PPG systems can employ a light source or light emitter thatinjects light into the user's tissue and a light detector to receivelight that reflects and/or scatters and exits the tissue. The PPG signalis the amplitude of the reflected and/or scattered light that ismodulated with volumetric change in blood volume in the tissue. However,the PPG signal may be compromised by noise due to artifacts. Artifactsresulting from, for example, tilt and/or pull of the device relative tothe user's tissue, hair, and/or motion can introduce noise into thesignal. For example, the amplitude of reflected light can modulate dueto the motion of the user's hair. As a result, the amplitude modulationof the reflected light caused by hair motion can be erroneouslyinterpreted as a result of pulsatile blood flow.

This disclosure relates to a multiple light paths architecture andobscuration methods for PPG signal and perfusion index optimization. Thearchitecture can include one or more light emitters and one or morelight sensors to generate the multiple light paths to measure a PPGsignal and a perfusion index of a user. The multiple light paths caninclude different locations and/or separation distances between lightemitters and light detectors to generate both an accurate PPG signal andperfusion index value to accommodate a variety of users and a variety ofusage conditions. In some examples, the multiple light paths can includedifferent path locations, but the same emitter-to-detector separationdistances along each path. In some examples, the multiple light pathscan include overlapping, co-linear paths (i.e., along the same line),but with different emitter-to-separation distances along each other. Insome examples, the multiple light paths can include different pathlocations and different emitter-to-detector separation distances alongeach path. In such examples, the particular configuration of themultiple light paths is optimized for noise cancellation due toartifacts such as tilt and/or pull of the device, a user's hair, auser's skin pigmentation, and/or motion. In some examples, the devicecan include one or more lenses and/or reflectors to increase the signalstrength and/or to obscure the light emitters, light sensors, andassociated wiring from being visible to a user's eye.

Representative applications of methods and apparatus according to thepresent disclosure are described in this section. These examples arebeing provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of thedescribed examples. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the artthat the described examples may be practiced without some or all of thespecific details. In other instances, well-known process steps have beendescribed in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thedescribed examples. Other applications are possible, such that thefollowing examples should not be taken as limiting.

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate systems in which examples of the disclosure canbe implemented. FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary mobile telephone 136that can include a touch screen 124. FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplarymedia player 140 that can include a touch screen 126. FIG. 1Cillustrates an exemplary wearable device 144 that can include a touchscreen 128 and can be attached to a user using a strap 146. The systemsof FIGS. 1A-1C can utilize the multiple light path architectures andobscuration methods as will be disclosed.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary PPG signal. A user's PPG signal absentof artifacts is illustrated as signal 210. However, movement of the bodyof the user can cause the skin and vasculature to expand and contract,introducing noise to the signal. Additionally, a user's hair and/ortissue can change the amplitude of light reflected and the amplitude oflight absorbed. A user's PPG signal with artifacts is illustrated assignal 220. Without extraction of noise, signal 220 can bemisinterpreted.

Signal 210 can include light information with an amplitude that ismodulated as a result of pulsatile blood flow (i.e., “signal”) andparasitic, unmodulated, non-signal light (i.e., DC). From the measuredPPG signal 210, a perfusion index can be determined. The perfusion indexcan be the ratio of received modulated light (ML) to unmodulated light(UML) (i.e., ratio of blood flow modulated signal to static, parasiticDC signal) and can give extra information regarding the user'sphysiological state. The modulated light (ML) can be the peak-to-valleyvalue of signal 210, and unmodulated light (UML) can be thezero-to-average (using average 212) value of signal 210. As shown inFIG. 2, the perfusion index can be equal to the ratio of ML to UML.

Both the PPG signal and perfusion index can be related to an accuratemeasurement of physiological signals such as heart rate. However, thePPG signal can include noise from modulated light resulting from, forexample, motion of the user's tissue and/or the PPG device. Higherperfusion index (e.g., higher pulsatile signal and/or lower parasiticDC) can result in better rejection of such motion noise. Additionally,the intensity of a PPG signal relative to perfusion index can vary fordifferent users. Some users may naturally have a high PPG signal, but aweak perfusion index or vice versa. Thus, the combination of PPG signaland perfusion index can be used to determine physiological signals for avariety of users and a variety of usage conditions.

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view and FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectionalview of an exemplary electronic device including light sensors and lightemitters for determining a heart rate signal. A light sensor 304 can belocated with a light emitter 306 on a surface of device 300.Additionally, another light sensor 314 can be located or paired withlight emitter 316 on a surface of device 300. Device 300 can be situatedsuch that light sensors 304 and 314 and light emitters 306 and 316 areproximate to a skin 320 of a user. For example, device 300 can be heldin a user's hand or strapped to a user's wrist, among otherpossibilities.

Light emitter 306 can generate light 322. Light 322 can be incident onskin 320 and can reflect back to be detected by light sensor 304. Aportion of light 322 can be absorbed by skin 320, vasculature, and/orblood, and a portion of light (i.e., light 332) can be reflected back tolight sensor 304 located or paired with light emitter 306. Similarly,light emitter 316 can generate light 324. Light 324 can be incident onskin 320 and can reflect back to be detected by light sensor 314. Aportion of light 324 can be absorbed by skin 320, vasculature, and/orblood, and a portion of light (i.e., light 334) can be reflected back tolight sensor 314 located with light emitter 316. Light 332 and 334 caninclude information or signals such as a heart rate signal (i.e., PPGsignal) due to a blood pulse wave 326. Due to a distance between lightsensors 304 and 314 along the direction of the blood pulse wave 326,signal 332 can include a heart rate signal, whereas signal 334 caninclude a time-shifted heart rate signal. A difference between signal332 and signal 334 can depend on the distance between light sensors 304and 314 and the velocity of blood pulse wave 326.

Signals 332 and 334 can include noise 312 due to artifacts resultingfrom, for example, tilt and/or pull of device 300 relative to skin 320,a user's hair, and/or a user's motion. One way to account for noise 312can be to locate light sensors 304 and 314 far enough such that noise insignals 332 and 334 may be uncorrelated, but close enough together thatPPG signal is corrected in signals 332 and 334. The noise can bemitigated by scaling, multiplying, dividing, adding, and/or subtractingsignals 332 and 334.

FIG. 3C illustrates a flow diagram for canceling or reducing noise froma measured PPG signal. Process 350 can include light emitted from one ormore light emitters 306 and 316 (step 352) located on a surface ofdevice 300. Light information 332 can be received by light sensor 304(step 354), and light information 334 can be received by light sensor314 (step 356). In some examples, light information 332 and 334 canindicate an amount of light from light emitters 306 and 316 that hasbeen reflected and/or scattered by skin 320, blood, and/or vasculatureof the user. In some examples, light information 332 and 334 canindicate an amount of light that has been absorbed by skin 320, blood,and/or vasculature of the user.

Based on light information 332 and light information 334, a heart ratesignal can be computed by canceling noise due to artifacts (step 358).For example, light information 334 can be multiplied by a scaling factorand added to light information 332 to obtain the heart rate signal. Insome examples, heart rate signal can be computed by merely subtractingor dividing light information 334 from light information 332.

In some examples, light information 332 and 334 can be difficult todetermine due to a low signal intensity. To increase the signalintensity or signal strength, the distance between light sensors andlight emitters can be reduced or minimized such that light travels theshortest distance. Generally, for a given light emitter and light sensorpair, the signal strength decreases with increasing separation distancebetween the light emitter and light sensor. On the other hand, theperfusion index generally increases with increasing separation distancebetween the light emitter and the light sensor. A higher perfusion indexcan correlate to better rejection of artifacts caused by, for example,motion. Therefore, shorter separation distances between a light emitterand a light sensor can favor high PPG signal strength, while longerseparation distances can favor high perfusion index (e.g., motionperformance). That is, a trade-off can exist making it difficult tooptimize separation distance for particular user skin/tissue types andusage conditions.

To alleviate the trade-off issue between signal strength and perfusionindex, multiple light paths with various distances between lightemitter(s) and light sensor(s) can be employed. FIG. 4A illustrates atop view and FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplarydevice with two light paths for determining a heart rate signalaccording to examples of the disclosure. Device 400 can include lightemitters 406 and 416 and a light sensor 404. Light emitter 406 can havea separation distance 411 from light sensor 404, and light emitter 416can have a separation distance 413 from light sensor 404.

Light 422 from light emitter 406 can be incident on skin 420 and canreflect back as light 432 to be detected by light sensor 404. Similarly,light 424 from light emitter 416 can be incident on skin 420 and canreflect back as light 434 to be detected by light sensor 404. Separationdistance 411 can be small compared to separation distance 413, and as aresult, light information 432 can have a higher PPG signal strength thanlight information 434. Light information 432 can be employed forapplications requiring a higher PPG signal strength. Separation distance413 can be large compared to separation distance 411, and as a result,light information 434 can have a higher perfusion index than lightinformation 432. Light information 434 can be employed for applicationsrequiring a high perfusion index (e.g., motion performance). Due to thedifferent separation distances 411 and 413, light information 432 and434 can provide various combinations of PPG signals and perfusion indexvalues to allow the device to dynamically select light information forparticular user skin types and usage conditions (e.g., sedentary, activemotion, etc.).

FIG. 5A illustrates multiple light paths for determining a heart ratesignal according to examples of the disclosure. For enhanced measurementresolution, more than two light paths can be employed. Multiple lightpaths can be formed from a light emitter 506 and a plurality of lightsensors such as light sensors 504, 514, 524, 534, and 544. Light sensor504 can have a separation distance 511 from light emitter 506. Lightsensor 514 can have a separation distance 513 from light emitter 506.Light sensor 524 can have a separation distance 515 from light emitter506. Light sensor 534 can have a separation distance 517 from lightemitter 506. Light sensor 544 can have a separation distance 519 fromlight emitter 506. Separation distances 511, 513, 515, 517, and 519 canbe different values.

FIG. 5B illustrates a plot of PPG signal strength and perfusion indexvalues for light emitter 506 and light sensors 504, 514, 524, 534, and544. As shown, an intensity of the PPG signal or signal strength candecrease as the separation distance between a light emitter and a lightsensor (i.e., separation distances 511, 513, 515, 517, and 519)increases. On the other hand, the perfusion index value can increase asthe separation distance between a light emitter and a light sensorincreases.

Information obtained from the multiple light paths can be used both forapplications requiring a high PPG signal strength and applicationsrequiring a high perfusion index value. In some examples, informationgenerated from all light paths can be utilized. In some examples,information generated from some, but not all light paths can beutilized. In some examples, the “active” light paths can be dynamicallychanged based on the application(s), available power, user type, and/ormeasurement resolution.

FIG. 6A illustrates a top view and FIG. 6C illustrates a cross-sectionalview of an exemplary electronic device employing multiple light pathsfor determining a heart rate signal according to examples of thedisclosure. Device 600 can include light emitters 606 and 616 and lightsensors 604 and 614 located on a surface of device 600. Light sensors604 and 614 can be symmetrically placed, while light emitters 606 and616 can be asymmetrically placed. Optical isolation 644 can be disposedbetween light emitters 606 and 616 and light detectors 604 and 614. Insome examples, optical isolation 644 can be an opaque material to, forexample, reduce parasitic DC light.

Light emitters 606 and 616 and light sensors 604 and 614 can be mountedon or touching component mounting plane 648. In some examples, componentmounting plane 648 can be made of an opaque material (e.g., flex). Insome examples, component mounting plane 648 can be made of a samematerial as optical isolation 644.

Device 600 can include windows 601 to protect light emitters 606 and 616and light sensors 604 and 614. Light emitters 606 and 616, lightdetectors 604 and 614, optical isolation 644, component mounting plane648, and windows 601 can be located within an opening 603 of housing610. In some examples, device 600 can be a wearable device such as awristwatch, and housing 610 can be coupled to a wrist strap 646.

Light emitters 606 and 616 and light detectors 604 and 614 can bearranged such that there are four light paths with four differentseparation distances. Light path 621 can be coupled to light emitter 606and light sensor 604. Light path 623 can be coupled to light emitter 606and light sensor 614. Light path 625 can be coupled to light emitter 616and light sensor 614. Light path 627 can be coupled to light emitter 616and light sensor 604.

FIG. 6B illustrates a table of exemplary path lengths, relative PPGsignals levels, and relative perfusion index values for light paths 621,623, 625, and 627 of device 600 according to examples of the disclosure.As shown, relative PPG signal levels can have higher values for shorterpath lengths. For example, light path 625 can have a higher PPG signalof 1.11 than light path 627 with a PPG signal of 0.31 due to the shorterpath length (i.e., path length of light path 625 is 4.944 mm, whereaspath length of light path 627 is 6.543 mm). For applications thatrequire high PPG signal levels, device 600 can utilize information fromlight path 625 or light path 621. However, relative perfusion indexvalues can have higher values for longer path lengths. For example,light path 623 can have a higher perfusion index value of 1.23 thanlight path 621 with a perfusion index value of 1.10 due to the longerpath length (e.g., path length of light path 623 is 5.915 mm, whereaspath length of light path 621 is 5.444 mm). For applications thatrequire high perfusion index values, device 600 can favor informationfrom light path 623 over information from light path 621. While FIG. 6Billustrates exemplary values for path lengths 621, 623, 625, and 627along with exemplary PPG signal levels and perfusion index values,examples of the disclosure are not limited to these values.

FIGS. 6D-6F illustrate cross-sectional views of exemplary electronicdevices employing multiple light paths for determining a heart ratesignal according to examples of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6D,optical isolation 654 can be designed to improve mechanical stability ofdevice 600 by providing a larger surface area (than optical isolation644 of FIG. 6C) for windows 601 to rest on and/or adhere to. Whileoptical isolation 654 can provide a larger surface area for windows 601,the light may have to travel a longer distance through skin 620, and asa result, the signal intensity may be reduced. Either the signal qualitycan be compromised or device 600 can compensate by increasing the power(i.e., battery power consumption) of light emitted from light emitter606. A lower signal intensity or a higher battery power consumption candegrade the user's experience.

One way to overcome the issues with lower signal intensity and higherpower consumption can be illustrated in FIG. 6E. Device 600 can includelens 603 coupled to light emitter 606 and/or lens 605 coupled to lightsensor 604. Lens 603 can be any type of lens such as a Fresnel lens orimage displacement film (IDF) that steers the light over the opticalisolation 644. Lens 605 can be any type of lens such as an IDF or abrightness enhancement film (BEF) that shifts the light into an opticalreceiving area of light sensor 604. Lens 603 can direct light emittedfrom light emitter 606 closer to lens 605, and lens 605 can direct lightto closer light sensor 604. By employing lenses 603 and/or 605, lightmay not have to travel a longer distance through skin 620, and as aresult, the signal intensity can be recovered.

In some examples, device 600 can include a reflector 607, in addition toor alternatively to lens 603 and 605, as shown in FIG. 6F. Reflector 607can be formed from any reflective material such as a mirror or a whitesurface. Light emitted from light emitter 606 can reflect off thesurface of skin 620 and be directed back to reflector 607. Such light inthe architectures illustrated in FIGS. 6D-6E could be lost or absorbedby optical isolation 654. However, in the architecture illustrated inFIG. 6F, reflector 607 can prevent light loss by reflecting the lightback to skin 620, and the light could then be reflected to light sensor604. In some examples, optical isolation 654 can include any number ofreflectors 607. In some examples, one or more windows 601 can includeany number of reflectors 607.

FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of an exemplary electronic device withmultiple light paths for determining a heart rate signal according toexamples of the disclosure. Device 700 can include a plurality of lightemitters 706 and 716 and a plurality of light sensors 704, 714, 724, and734 located on a surface of device 700. Optical isolation 744 can bedisposed between light emitters 706 and 716 and light sensors 704, 714,724, and 734 to prevent light mixing. Component mounting plane 748 canbe mounted behind light emitters 706 and 716 and light sensors 704, 714,724, and 734. Windows such as window 701 can be located in front oflight emitters 706 and 716 and light sensors 704, 714, 724, and 734 forprotection. The plurality of light emitters 706 and 716, plurality oflight detectors 704, 714, 724, and 734, optical isolation 744, componentmounting plane 748, and windows 701 can be located within an opening 703of housing 710. In some examples, device 700 can be a wearable devicesuch as a wristwatch, and housing 710 can be coupled to a wrist strap746.

Although FIG. 7A illustrates two light emitters and four light sensors,any number of light emitters and light sensors can be employed. In someexamples, light sensors 704 and 724 can be a single light sensorpartitioned into two or more separate sensing regions. Similarly, lightsensors 714 and 734 can be a single light sensor partitioned into two ormore separate sensing regions. In some examples, optical isolation 744and/or component mounting plane 748 can be an opaque material. In someexamples, one or more of optical isolation 744, component mounting plane748, and housing 710 can be a same material.

Light emitters 706 and 716 and light sensors 704, 714, 724, and 734 canbe arranged such that there are eight light paths with four differentpath lengths or separation distances. Light path 721 can be coupled tolight emitter 706 and light sensor 704. Light path 723 can be coupled tolight emitter 706 and light sensor 734. Light path 725 can be coupled tolight emitter 706 and light sensor 714. Light path 727 can be coupled tolight emitter 716 and light sensor 734. Light path 729 can be coupled tolight emitter 716 and light sensor 714. Light path 731 can be coupled tolight emitter 716 and light sensor 724. Light path 733 can be coupled tolight emitter 716 and light sensor 704. Light path 735 can be coupled tolight emitter 706 and light sensor 724.

Light emitters 706 and 716 and light sensors 704, 714, 724, and 734 canbe placed such that the separation distances of light paths 721 and 729(i.e., separation distance d1) are the same, the separation distances oflight paths 727 and 735 (i.e., separation distance d2) are the same, theseparation distances of light paths 723 and 731 (i.e., separationdistance d3) are the same, and the separation distances of light paths725 and 733 (i.e., separation distance d4) are the same. In someexamples, two or more of the light paths can be overlapping light paths.In some examples, two or more of the light paths can be non-overlappinglight paths. In some examples, two or more light paths can be co-locatedlight paths. In some examples, two or more light paths can benon-co-located light paths.

An advantage to the multiple light-path architecture illustrated in FIG.7A can be signal optimization. There can be non-overlapping lights pathssuch that if there is signal loss in one light path, other light pathscan be used for signal redundancy. That is, the device can ensure theexistence of a signal by having light paths that collectively span alarger total area. The architecture can mitigate against the risk ofhaving only one light path where signal is either very low ornon-existent. A very low or non-existent signal can render a light pathineffective due to, for example, a user's particular physiology where a“quiet” no-signal (or low signal) spot exists. For example, light path729 can be used for signal redundancy when there is signal loss in lightpath 721.

FIG. 7B illustrates a table of light emitter/sensor paths and separationdistances for an exemplary electronic device with eight light paths andfour separation distances according to examples of the disclosure. FIG.7C illustrates a plot of PPG signal strength and perfusion index valuesfor an exemplary architecture with eight light paths and four separationdistances according to examples of the disclosure. As shown, anintensity of the PPG signal can decrease as the separation distancebetween a light emitter and a light sensor (i.e., separation distancesd1, d2, d3, and d4) increases. On the other hand, the perfusion indexvalue can increase as the separation distance between a light emitterand a light sensor increases.

By configuring the light sensors and light emitters such that multiplelight paths have a same separation distance, noise due to artifacts suchas motion, user hair and user skin can be canceled or reduced. Forexample, light path 721 and light path 729 can be two different lightpaths with a same separation distance d1. Due to the separation distancebeing the same for both light paths, the PPG signal should be the same.However, light path 721 can reflect off a different area of the user'sskin, vasculature, and blood than light path 729. Due to the asymmetryof the human skin, vasculature, and blood, light information from lightpath 721 can be different than light information from light path 729.For example, a user's skin pigmentation in light path 721 can bedifferent than the user's skin pigmentation in light path 729, leadingto a different signal for light path 721 and light path 729. Suchdifferences in light information can be used to cancel or reduce noiseand/or enhance pulsatile signal quality to determine an accurate PPGsignal.

In some examples, light emitters 706 and 716 can be different lightsources. Exemplary light sources can include, but are not limited to,light emitting diodes (LEDs), incandescent lights, and fluorescentlights. In some examples, light emitters 706 and 716 can have differentemission wavelengths. For example, light emitter 706 can be a green LEDand light emitter 716 can be an infrared (IR) LED. A user's blood caneffectively absorb light from a green light source, and thus, the lightpath coupled to light emitter 706 with the shortest separation distance(i.e., light path 721) can be used for a high PPG signal when a user issedentary, for example. An IR light source can effectively travelfurther distances through a user's skin than other light sources and asa result, can consume less power. A light path coupled to light emitter716 (i.e., light paths 727, 729, 731, and 733) can be used when device700 is operating in a low power mode, for example. In some examples,light emitters 706 and 716 can have different emission intensities.

FIGS. 7D-7F illustrate cross-sectional views of exemplary electronicdevices employing one or more light paths for determining a heart ratesignal according to examples of the disclosure. Device 700 can includewindow 701 located in front of a component such as light emitter 706 ofFIG. 7D and light sensor 704 of FIG. 7E. Window 701 may be transparent,and as a result, the internal components of device 700 may be visible toa user. Since device 700 can include several components and associatedwiring, it can be desirable to obscure the components and preventinternal components from being visible to a user's eye. In addition toobscuring the internal components, it may be desirable that the lightemitted from light emitter 706 retains its optical power, collectionefficiency, beam shape, and collection area so that the intensity oflight is unaffected.

To obscure internal components, a lens such as a Fresnel lens 707 can belocated between window 701 and light emitter 706, as shown in FIG. 7D.Fresnel lens 707 can have two regions: an optical center 709 and acosmetic zone 711. Optical center 709 can be placed in substantially asame area or location as light emitter 706 to collimate the emittedlight into a smaller beam size. Cosmetic zone 711 can be located inareas outside of optical center 709. The ridges of the cosmetic zone 709can act to obscure the underlying internal components.

To obscure light sensor 704, a lens such as Fresnel lens 713 can belocated between window 701 and light sensor 704, as shown in FIG. 7E.Because light sensor 704 can be a large-area photodiode, shaping of thelight field may not be needed, so Fresnel lens 713 may not require anoptical center. Instead, Fresnel lens 713 may have one region comprisingridges configured for a cosmetic zone.

The ridge shapes of Fresnel lenses 707 and 713 can be altered to improveobscuration, especially in cosmetic zones. For example, deep and sharpsawtooth patterns can be used for high obscuration needs. Other types ofridge shapes can include rounded cylindrical ridges, asymmetric shapes,and wavy shapes (i.e., ridges that move in and out).

In some examples, the Fresnel lens 707 illustrated in FIG. 7D can beused additionally or alternatively for light collimation. By collimatinglight, the optical signal efficiency can be improved. Without a lens orsimilar collimating optical element, emitter light can be directed at anangle away from the light sensor and can be lost. Additionally oralternatively, light can be directed at an angle toward the lightsensor, but the angle may be shallow. The shallow angle may prevent thelight from penetrating deep enough to reach the signal layers in theskin. This light may contribute only to parasitic, non-signal light. TheFresnel lens 707 can redirect light to directions that otherwise may belost or enter into the tissue at shallow angles. Such redirected lightcan be collected instead of being lost and/or can mitigate againstparasitic non-signal light, resulting in improved optical signalefficiency.

In some examples, a diffusing agent can be used. Diffusing agent 719 canbe surrounding, touching, and/or covering one or more components oflight emitter 706. In some examples, diffusing agent 719 can be a resinor epoxy that encapsulates the dies or components and/or wire bonds.Diffusing agent 719 can be used to adjust the angle of the light emittedfrom light emitter 706. For example, the angle of light emitted from alight emitter without a diffusing agent can be 5° wider than the angleof light emitter from light emitter 706 encapsulated by diffusing agent719. By narrowing the beam of light emitted, more light can be collectedby the lens and/or window resulting in a larger amount of detected lightby the light sensor.

In some examples, diffusing agent 719 can have an increased reflectivityfor the wavelength or color of emitted light from light emitter 706. Forexample, if light emitter 706 emits green light, diffusing agent 719 canbe made of white TiO₂ material to increase the amount of green lightreflected back toward the skin. This way, light that would haveotherwise been lost can be recycled back and detected by the lightdetector.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing systemcomprising light emitters and light sensors for measuring a PPG signalaccording to examples of the disclosure. Computing system 800 cancorrespond to any of the computing devices illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C.Computing system 800 can include a processor 810 configured to executeinstructions and to carry out operations associated with computingsystem 800. For example, using instructions retrieved from memory,processor 810 can control the reception and manipulation of input andoutput data between components of computing system 800. Processor 810can be a single-chip processor or can be implemented with multiplecomponents.

In some examples, processor 810 together with an operating system canoperate to execute computer code and produce and use data. The computercode and data can reside within a program storage block 802 that can beoperatively coupled to processor 810. Program storage block 802 cangenerally provide a place to hold data that is being used by computingsystem 800. Program storage block 802 can be any non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium, and can store, for example, historyand/or pattern data relating to PPG signal and perfusion index valuesmeasured by one or more light sensors such as light sensor 804. By wayof example, program storage block 802 can include Read-Only Memory (ROM)818, Random-Access Memory (RAM) 822, hard disk drive 808 and/or thelike. The computer code and data could also reside on a removablestorage medium and loaded or installed onto the computing system 800when needed. Removable storage mediums include, for example, CD-RM,DVD-ROM, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Secure Digital (SD), Compact Flash(CF), Memory Stick, Multi-Media Card (MMC) and a network component.

Computing system 800 can also include an input/output (I/O) controller812 that can be operatively coupled to processor 810 or it may be aseparate component as shown. I/O controller 812 can be configured tocontrol interactions with one or more I/O devices. I/O controller 812can operate by exchanging data between processor 810 and the I/O devicesthat desire to communicate with processor 810. The I/O devices and I/Ocontroller 812 can communicate through a data link. The data link can bea one way link or a two way link. In some cases, I/O devices can beconnected to I/O controller 812 through wireless connections. By way ofexample, a data link can correspond to PS/2, USB, Firewire, IR, RF,Bluetooth or the like.

Computing system 800 can include a display device 824 that can beoperatively coupled to processor 810. Display device 824 can be aseparate component (peripheral device) or can be integrated withprocessor 810 and program storage block 802 to form a desktop computer(all in one machine), a laptop, handheld or tablet computing device ofthe like. Display device 824 can be configured to display a graphicaluser interface (GUI) including perhaps a pointer or cursor as well asother information to the user. By way of example, display device 824 canbe any type of display including a liquid crystal display (LCD), anelectroluminescent display (ELD), a field emission display (FED), alight emitting diode display (LED), an organic light emitting diodedisplay (OLED) or the like.

Display device 824 can be coupled to display controller 826 that can becoupled to processor 810. Processor 810 can send raw data to displaycontroller 826, and display controller 826 can send signals to displaydevice 824. Data can include voltage levels for a plurality of pixels indisplay device 824 to project an image. In some examples, processor 810can be configured to process the raw data.

Computing system 800 can also include a touch screen 830 that can beoperatively coupled to processor 810. Touch screen 830 can be acombination of sensing device 832 and display device 824, where thesensing device 832 can be a transparent panel that is positioned infront of display device 824 or integrated with display device 824. Insome cases, touch screen 830 can recognize touches and the position andmagnitude of touches on its surface. Touch screen 830 can report thetouches to processor 810, and processor 810 can interpret the touches inaccordance with its programming. For example, processor 810 can performtap and event gesture parsing and can initiate a wake of the device orpowering on one or more components in accordance with a particulartouch.

Touch screen 830 can be coupled to a touch controller 840 that canacquire data from touch screen 830 and can supply the acquired data toprocessor 810. In some cases, touch controller 840 can be configured tosend raw data to processor 810, and processor 810 processes the rawdata. For example, processor 810 can receive data from touch controller840 and can determine how to interpret the data. The data can includethe coordinates of a touch as well as pressure exerted. In someexamples, touch controller 840 can be configured to process raw dataitself. That is, touch controller 840 can read signals from sensingpoints 834 located on sensing device 832 and turn them into data thatthe processor 810 can understand.

Touch controller 840 can include one or more microcontrollers such asmicrocontroller 842, each of which can monitor one or more sensingpoints 834. Microcontroller 842 can, for example, correspond to anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which works withfirmware to monitor the signals from sensing device 832, process themonitored signals, and report this information to processor 810.

One or both display controller 826 and touch controller 840 can performfiltering and/or conversion processes. Filtering processes can beimplemented to reduce a busy data stream to prevent processor 810 frombeing overloaded with redundant or non-essential data. The conversionprocesses can be implemented to adjust the raw data before sending orreporting them to processor 810.

In some examples, sensing device 832 is based on capacitance. When twoelectrically conductive members come close to one another withoutactually touching, their electric fields can interact to form acapacitance. The first electrically conductive member can be one or moreof the sensing points 834, and the second electrically conductive membercan be an object 890 such as a finger. As object 890 approaches thesurface of touch screen 830, a capacitance can form between object 890and one or more sensing points 834 in close proximity to object 890. Bydetecting changes in capacitance at each of the sensing points 834 andnoting the position of sensing points 834, touch controller 840 canrecognize multiple objects, and determine the location, pressure,direction, speed and acceleration of object 890 as it moves across thetouch screen 830. For example, touch controller 890 can determinewhether the sensed touch is a finger, tap, or an object covering thesurface.

Sensing device 832 can be based on self-capacitance or mutualcapacitance. In self-capacitance, each of the sensing points 834 can beprovided by an individually charged electrode. As object 890 approachesthe surface of the touch screen 830, the object can capacitively coupleto those electrodes in close proximity to object 890, thereby stealingcharge away from the electrodes. The amount of charge in each of theelectrodes can be measured by the touch controller 840 to determine theposition of one or more objects when they touch or hover over the touchscreen 830. In mutual capacitance, sensing device 832 can include a twolayer grid of spatially separated lines or wires, although otherconfigurations are possible. The upper layer can include lines in rows,while the lower layer can include lines in columns (e.g., orthogonal).Sensing points 834 can be provided at the intersections of the rows andcolumns. During operation, the rows can be charged, and the charge cancapacitively couple from the rows to the columns. As object 890approaches the surface of the touch screen 830, object 890 cancapacitively couple to the rows in close proximity to object 890,thereby reducing the charge coupling between the rows and columns. Theamount of charge in each of the columns can be measured by touchcontroller 840 to determine the position of multiple objects when theytouch the touch screen 830.

Computing system 800 can also include one or more light emitters such aslight emitters 806 and 816 and one or more light sensors such as lightsensor 804 proximate to skin 820 of a user. Light emitters 806 and 816can be configured to generate light, and light sensor 804 can beconfigured to measure a light reflected or absorbed by skin 820,vasculature, and/or blood of the user. Light sensor 804 can sendmeasured raw data to processor 810, and processor 810 can perform noisecancellation to determine the PPG signal and/or perfusion index.Processor 810 can dynamically activate light emitters and/or lightsensors based on an application, user skin type, and usage conditions.In some examples, some light emitters and/or light sensors can beactivated, while other light emitters and/or light sensors can bedeactivated to conserve power, for example. In some examples, processor810 can store the raw data and/or processed information in a ROM 818 orRAM 822 for historical tracking or for future diagnostic purposes.

In some examples, the light sensor(s) can measure light information anda processor can determine a PPG signal and/or perfusion index from thereflected, scattered, or absorbed light. Processing of the lightinformation can be performed on the device as well. In some examples,processing of light information need not be performed on the deviceitself. FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary configuration in which a deviceis connected to a host according to examples of the disclosure. Host 910can be any device external to device 900 including, but not limited to,any of the systems illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C or a server. Device 900can be connected to host 910 through communications link 920.Communications link 920 can be any connection including, but not limitedto, a wireless connection and a wired connection. Exemplary wirelessconnections include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Wireless Direct, and Infrared.Exemplary wired connections include Universal Serial Bus (USB),FireWire, Thunderbolt, or any connection requiring a physical cable.

In operation, instead of processing light information from the lightsensors on the device 900 itself, device 900 can send raw data 930measured from the light sensors over communications link 920 to host910. Host 910 can receive raw data 930, and host 910 can process thelight information. Processing the light information can includecanceling or reducing any noise due to artifacts and determiningphysiological signals such as a user's heart rate. Host 910 can includealgorithms or calibration procedures to account for differences in auser's characteristics affecting PPG signal and perfusion index.Additionally, host 910 can include storage or memory for tracking a PPGsignal and perfusion index history for diagnostic purposes. Host 910 cansend the processed result 940 or related information back to device 900.Based on the processed result 940, device 900 can notify the user oradjust its operation accordingly. By offloading the processing and/orstorage of the light information, device 900 can conserve space andpower enabling device 900 to remain small and portable, as space thatcould otherwise be required for processing logic can be freed up on thedevice.

In some examples, an electronic device is disclosed. The electronicdevice may comprise: one or more light emitters configured to generate aplurality of light paths, wherein at least two of the plurality of lightpaths have separation distances with a predetermined relationship; oneor more light sensors configured to detect the at least two light pathshaving the predetermined relationship; and logic coupled to the one ormore light sensors and configured to detect a physiological signal fromthe at least two light paths. Additionally or alternatively to one ormore examples disclosed above, in other examples, the predeterminedrelationship is a same separation distance. Additionally oralternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in otherexamples, the logic is further configured to generate PPG signals andperfusion signals from the detected physiological signal. Additionallyor alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in otherexamples, the predetermined relationship is different separationdistances. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examplesdisclosed above, in other examples, the predetermined relationship isoverlapping light paths. Additionally or alternatively to one or moreexamples disclosed above, the predetermined relationship isnon-overlapping light paths. Additionally or alternatively to one ormore examples disclosed above, in other examples, the predeterminedrelationship is co-located light paths. Additionally or alternatively toone or more examples disclosed above, in other examples, thepredetermined relationship is non-co-located light paths. Additionallyor alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in otherexamples, the logic is further configured to reduce noise in theplurality of light paths. Additionally or alternatively to one or moreexamples disclosed above, in other examples, the electronic devicefurther comprises one or more first lenses disposed on the one or morelight emitters. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examplesdisclosed above, in other examples, at least one of the one or morefirst lenses is a Fresnel lens or an image displacement film.Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above,in other examples, at least one of the one or more first lenses includesan optical center placed in substantially a same location as lightemitted from the one or more light emitters. Additionally oralternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in otherexamples, the electronic device further comprises one or more secondlenses disposed on the one or more light sensors. Additionally oralternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in otherexamples, at least one of the one or more second lenses is an imagedisplacement film, a brightness enhancement film, or a Fresnel lens.Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above,in other examples, the electronic device further comprises: an opticalisolation disposed between the one or more light emitters and the one ormore light sensors; and a reflector disposed on at least one of theoptical isolation, a window disposed on the one or more light emitters,and a window disposed on the one or more light sensors. Additionally oralternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in otherexamples, at least one light sensor is partitioned into a plurality ofsensing regions. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examplesdisclosed above, in other examples, at least two of the one or morelight emitters emit light at different wavelengths. Additionally oralternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in otherexamples, at least one light emitter is a green light emitting diode andat least one light emitter is an infrared light emitting diode.

In some examples, a method for forming an electronic device includingone or more light emitters and one or more light sensors is disclosed.The method may comprise: emitting light from the one or more lightemitters to generate a plurality of light paths, wherein at least two ofthe plurality of light paths have separation distances with apredetermined relationship; receiving light from the one or more lightsensors; and determining a physiological signal from the received light.Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above,in other examples, the method further comprises dynamically selectingone or more light paths based on at least one of a user characteristicand a usage condition. Additionally or alternatively to one or moreexamples disclosed above, in other examples, at least two of theplurality of light paths have a same separation distance, the methodfurther comprises canceling or reducing a noise from the at least two ofthe plurality of light paths with the same separation distance.Additionally or alternatively to one or more examples disclosed above,in other examples, the at least two of the plurality of light pathsincluding a first light path and a second light path, wherein the firstlight path has a first separation distance and the second light path hasa second separation distance, and the first separation distance isshorter than the second separation distance, the method furthercomprises: determining a first physiological signal from the first lightpath; and determining a second physiological signal from the secondlight path. Additionally or alternatively to one or more examplesdisclosed above, in other examples, the first physiological signal isindicative of a photoplethysmographic signal and the secondphysiological signal is indicative of a perfusion index. Additionally oralternatively to one or more examples disclosed above, in otherexamples, the one or more light emitters includes a first set of lightemitters and a second set of light emitters, the method furthercomprising: dynamically activating the first set of light emitters; anddynamically deactivating the second set of light emitters.

Although the disclosed examples have been fully described with referenceto the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes andmodifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Suchchanges and modifications are to be understood as being included withinthe scope of the disclosed examples as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: one or morelight emitters configured to generate a plurality of light paths,wherein at least two of the plurality of light paths have separationdistances with a predetermined relationship; one or more light sensorsconfigured to detect the at least two light paths having thepredetermined relationship; and logic coupled to the one or more lightsensors and configured to detect a physiological signal from the atleast two light paths.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thepredetermined relationship is a same separation distance.
 3. Theelectronic device of claim 2, wherein the logic is further configured togenerate PPG signals and perfusion indices from the detectedphysiological signal.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein thepredetermined relationship is different separation distances.
 5. Theelectronic device of claim 4, wherein the logic is further configured toreduce noise in the plurality of light paths.
 6. The electronic deviceof claim 1, wherein the predetermined relationship is overlapping lightpaths.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the predeterminedrelationship is non-overlapping light paths.
 8. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the predetermined relationship is co-located lightpaths.
 9. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the predeterminedrelationship is non-co-located light paths.
 10. The electronic device ofclaim 1, further comprising one or more first lenses disposed on the oneor more light emitters.
 11. The electronic device of claim 10, whereinat least one of the one or more first lenses is a Fresnel lens or animage displacement film.
 12. The electronic device of claim 10, whereinat least one of the one or more first lenses includes an optical centerplaced in substantially a same location as light emitted from the one ormore light emitters.
 13. The electronic device of claim 1, furthercomprising one or more second lenses disposed on the one or more lightsensors.
 14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein at least one ofthe one or more second lenses is an image displacement film, abrightness enhancement film, or a Fresnel lens.
 15. The electronicdevice of claim 1, further comprising: an optical isolation disposedbetween the one or more light emitters and the one or more lightsensors; and a reflector disposed on at least one of the opticalisolation, a window disposed on the one or more light emitters, and awindow disposed on the one or more light sensors.
 16. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein at least one light sensor is partitioned intoa plurality of sensing regions.
 17. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein at least two of the one or more light emitters emit light atdifferent wavelengths.
 18. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein atleast one light emitter is a green light emitting diode and at least onelight emitter is an infrared light emitting diode.
 19. The electronicdevice of claim 1, further comprising a diffusing agent covering atleast one of the one or more light emitters.
 20. The electronic deviceof claim 15, wherein the diffusing agent is made of white TiO₂.
 21. Amethod for determining a physiological signal from an electronic device,the electronic device including one or more light emitters and one ormore light sensors, the method comprising: emitting light from the oneor more light emitters to generate a plurality of light paths, whereinat least two of the plurality of light paths have separation distanceswith a predetermined relationship; receiving light from the one or morelight sensors; and determining the physiological signal from thereceived light.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprisingdynamically selecting one or more light paths based on at least one of auser characteristic and a usage condition.
 23. The method of claim 21,wherein at least two of the plurality of light paths have a sameseparation distance, the method further comprising canceling or reducinga noise from the at least two of the plurality of light paths with thesame separation distance.
 24. The method of claim 21, the at least twoof the plurality of light paths including a first light path and asecond light path, wherein the first light path has a first separationdistance and the second light path has a second separation distance, andthe first separation distance is shorter than the second separationdistance, the method further comprising: determining a firstphysiological signal from the first light path; and determining a secondphysiological signal from the second light path.
 25. The method of claim24, wherein the first physiological signal is indicative of a firstphotoplethysmographic signal with a first associated perfusion index,and the second physiological signal is indicative of a secondphotoplethysmographic signal with a second associated perfusion index.26. The method of claim 21, wherein the one or more light emittersincludes a first set of light emitters and a second set of lightemitters, the method further comprising: dynamically activating thefirst set of light emitters; and dynamically deactivating the second setof light emitters.